curtiss



June 4, 1929.

W5 ATTORNEY N. H,vr CURTISS GOUNTING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fled Jan. 29', 1927 ATT RNEY June 4, 1929.

June 4, 1929. N. H. c'uRTlss 1,715,995

' I COUNTING MEGHANISM Filed Jan. 29, 1927 4 sheets-sheet s @(75 ATTORNEY N; H. CURTISS COUNTING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 29, 1927 June 4, 1929.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Naf/laide] if Calf/'ss Us ATTORNEY Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITE@ STA'EEZS russes rarsnr orifice.

NATHANIEL H. CURTISS, OF CLEVELAND', OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO vME(UI-LKN'IECAL RUBBER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHO, A CGRORATION OF OI-IO.

COUNTING MECHANISM.

Application filed January 29, 1927. Serial No. 164,501.

This invention relates to an improved device for separating from a stack of annular articles individual groups ofthe same or predetermined size. More particularly it relates to a device for removing in groups a predetermined number of flexible rings from a columnar stack of the saine and for depositing each group in a separate receptacle.

In the operation of previously known machinery for removing predetermined quantities of rings of rubber composition from a columnar stack of the same, which operation is referred to as counting the rings, there has not been provision for maintaining the rings of the column in close contact so as to preserve the form of ther column either at the end from which the rings are removed or at the supply end. Also there has been no means for positively relieving the head of the column of longitudinal pressure While removing the rings at the head of the column.

It is an object of this invention to provide mechanism for holding the head of the column of rings in position While it is being fed to the removing means. Another object is to provide for the posit-ive Withdrawal of longitudinal pressure upon the group of rings While being removed from the column. A further object is to provide for automatically stopping the machine before the column has been so depleted as to render the counting operation inaccurate.

Other objects will be apparent from the specification and from the drawings in Which latter:

Fig. l is a side View of the counting mechanism showing part Aof the feed mechanism in side elevation;

Fig. 9 is a section taken through the counting mechanism and partially through the feed mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a section through the feed trough along the line 3 3 of Fig. l showing the end of the counting niechanismin full lines;

Fig. a is a section taken on the line lof Fig. l;

is a fragmentary detail of the trough and counting mechanism and is taken from the opposite side of that shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the feeding mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 7*

and

Fig. l2 is a sectional detailed vievv. Referring particularly to the drawings,

the main support for the machine comprises the standards l with bracing rods 2 connecting the same at the upper portion thereof and a shelf 3 bracing the standards near their base. The main driving means for the apparatus is disposed as follows: A motor 4 is suitably mounted upon the shelf 3 and projecting therefrom is a drive shaft 5 which extends betweenv ythe standards l and is mounted for rotation in brackets 6 which are disposed upon the shelf 3. Shaft 5 carries at its outer end Within the housing 7 a Worm gear (not shown) With vWhich meshes a gear (also not shown) Which is rigidly carried upon the shaft 8. Shaft 8 extends between the standards l, being mounted for rotation therein and carries'rigidly affixed thereto a pulley Wheel 9 Which constitutes one carrier for a belt conveyor 10. This belt conveyor is suitably supported at its other endfor r0- tation and is adapted to be set in motion.

Whenever the motor l is actuated. A second train of elements is adapted to be connected With the drive shaft 5 by means of an electric clutch one of the elements of which is clutch member l2 which is rigidly fixed to the shaft 5. Trushes 13 are designed to conduct electricityto and from the clutch member thereby activating solenoids contained Within the same to draw the other clutch member 14 into engagement when desired. Clutch member 14: is mountedl for longitudinal sliding `movernent upon a sleeve l5 and at Fig. 1l is an end view of one of the parts;

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the same time is non-rotatively connecter therewith. The sleeve carries a worm gear within the housing 16 which is adapted to engage a gear 17 rigidly secured upon a shaft 18. Shaft 18 extends between the standards 1, being mounted for rotation therein and carries a gear 19 rigidly aliiXed thereto which is designed to drive the counting device. Shaft 18 also carries rigidly two sprocket wheels 20 which function as the driving means for a bucket conveyor to carry away the counted rings. One end of the shaft 18 protrudes through a standard 1 and carries rigidly a gear 21 which functions to drive the feeding apparatus, as will be later described. A bevel gear 22 carried upon the shaft 18 is designed to mesh with a bevel gear 28 carried by the shaft 24 and actuate a retarding means for the rings.

Feed/ng mechanism.

their upper lengths constitute sidewalls of a trough upon which the rings can be supported. The chain 27 is positioned above the others extending horizontally and they lower section thereof is designed to bear upon the upper surface of the column of rings, thus cooperating with chains 28 and 29 to drive the column forwardly.

The supporting means for one end of the chain 27 the bracket 32 which is bolted to the beam The bracket is provided with hanges S23 and Jvlirough which there passes a shaft carrying rigidly thereon a sprocket 36. Chain 27 is carried by this s )rocket A. sprocket 39 which supports the other end of the chain 27 is carried between a pair of plates 40 upon a spindle 41. A. tension adjustment housing 42 is rigidly a tached to the plates. Bolts 43 are thre led into the housing and are each provided with a grooved head suitable to constitute a bearing for the spindle 41. The bolts provide for longitudinal adjustment of the sprocket 39 and consequent adjustment of the slack in the chain.

The plates 40 are secured together by bolts 44 which pass through a spacing strip 45, the latter being positioned between the plates in such a manner as to provide the base of a shallow groove the side walls of which are plates 40. The grooves are of sulhcient width to receive the chain for slidable movement therein without excessive side play. 'T he depth of the lower groove is somewhat less than the thickness of the chain so that the column of rings will be engaged by the chain at all times.

-The spaced plates 40 are carried by the bracket 46, provision being made for vertical, lateral and pivotal adjustment of the same. Bracket 46 is bolted to the beams .251L and and is substantially V-shaped. A member 47 having spaced arms hangs suspended by a bolt 48 through a slot in the base of the tf-shaped bracket 46. Vertical adjustment is provided for by the nuts 49. The spaced plates are held between the arms of the bracket 47 by a bolt 50 which extends also through smiall vertical slots in the bracket 46. Slight vertical adjustment is thus permitted and lateral adjustment is provided for by nuts 51.

The ends of the plates 40 adjacent sprocket wheel 36 are suported by means of an arm 52 which projects rigidly from the bracket 82. Bolts 53 bear against the arm at one end and against the spacer strip at the other. Nuts 54 carried by the bolts provide for tilting the plates vertically.

lThe two lower chains are supported as follows: The beam 25 supports an elongated frame 57 of generally inverted V-shape in cross section. rThe apex of the V is grooved to form a trough 58. rlhe endless chains 28 and 29 are disposed upon the side walls of the frame 57, the upper section of each chain sliding along grooves formed by blocks 59 and side pieces 60 which are secured by any suitable means to the upper portion of the sidewalls of the frame 57. The grooves prevent lateral play of the chain and are sufliciently shallow to permit the rings to rest upon the chains.' Sprockets 61 are carried at one end of the member 57 to support the chains 28 and 29. Sprockets 62 and 68 are carried by the bracket 32 to support the other end of the chains. To prevent undesirable sagging of the lower sect-ions of each chain 28 and 29, there are provided rollers 63 carried upon the member 57, which rollers are designed to engage and carry the chain. The chains are driven in endless movement by means of a shaft 64 which is rotatably mounted at one end in suitable bearing in the standard 1 and at its opposite endin a bracket 65 which secured to the beam A gear wheel 66 is rigidly aflixed to the shaft 64 at the end adjacent the standard 1 and has engagement with and is driven f rom the gear wheel 21 previously described. A gear wl eel 67 carried on the opposite end ofA shaft 64 drives the gear 67a. The connecting' mechanism is as follows z rllhe bracket 32 is provided with flanges 69 and 7 O which carry rotatably mounted therein a shaft 71. The gear 67a is rigidly alhxed to the shaft 71. Shaft 71 operates to drive the sprocket wheels of the three sets of chains. The mechanism through which the two lower chains are driven is as follows: A bevel gear 73 is rigidly aiiixed to one end of the shaft and meshes with a corresponding bevelled gear 74 which is rigidly carried by a shaft 75 extending at right angles to shaft 71 and rotatably supported in the member 32. Shaft 75 drives the sprocket 62 which is afiixed thereto .and which carries the chain 29. A second sprocket 68 for the angularly disposed chain 28 is carried upon the shaft 71. F or driving the upper cha-in 27 a bevel gear 76 is rigidly secured to shaft 71 and meshes with a corresponding bevel gear 77 which is rigidly carried Vby the shaft 35. Shaft 35 is rotatably mounted at one end in the flange 33 and at its opposite end in flange 34 projecting' from the bracket A sprocket 36 which drives the topmost chain 27 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 35.

There has been formed by the arrangeface of the rings without disturbing their arrangement. As the rear end of the column of rings passes through the passageway between the chains, the upper chain tends to drop and allow a gravity switch to open thereby disconnecting the power from the chains, and stopping the machine. Elecrical conductors 80 and 81, see Fig. 7, extend from the. brushes 13 which engage the electric clutch member 12 and lead to the gravity switch. The gravity switch is composed of a iixed terminal 82 and a pivotally mounted terminal 83, both of which are secured between the plates 10. Pivotally mounted terminal 83 is designed to rest against the upper surface of the lower section of chain 27 and when this section has been pressed upwardly by the column of rings 79 as they pass through the feeding means, it causes the pivoted terminal to raise and contact with the fixed terminal, thus completing the circuit actuating the clutch and setting the chains in motion. When the co1- umn of rings has passed through the passageway to a point beyond the switch member a suitable distance the chain sags appreciably, and the pivoted switch member will drop with the chain and break the circuit, thereby permitting disengagement of the clutch members 12 and 14 and cutting ott' the feedy of rings,

Other endless coni veyorscan be substituted for the chains if desired. ,j

The column of rings is fed from the passageway formed by the three cooperatingv chains into latrough 84 which extends in alignment with the passageway and leads to the counting means. rlhe trough is supported at one end by the bracket 32 and at its opposite end by the standard 1 through which it passes. The trough is `V-shaped in cross section. It extends into the space from which the rings are removed as a group and terminates in the plates 85.

It is desirable when the predetermined or counted number of rings are being removed' from the trough that feeding pressure on the forward end of the main column of rings be relieved temporarily. Provision is made for accomplishing this result by means'. of a clamping device constructed as follows: A U-shaped arm 86 is pivoted on pin 87 which extends through beam 25. Two links 88 on opposite sides of the trough 84C are pivotedat one end on pin 89 which extends through the arms 86 and at their opposite end are connected pivotally to arms 90 which latter are pivoted upon vthe beam 25. Shoe 91 is carried between the two arms y88 and secured in place by means of the bolts 92. Drive links 193 are pivotally connected at one end with the pin 89 Aand at their opposite ends with the pins 94 of the eccentric 95 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 9 in any suitable manner. Shaft 96 also carries rigidly a gear member 97 -which is designed to mesh with a gear 98 which isrigidly aitxed to the shaft 24 previously described. The shoe 91 is designed to be moved backwardly anddownwardly upon operation-of the mechanism just described so as to press Iagainst the top of the column of rings with a slight rearward'motion. A`

cooperating member 100 is designed to slide in the bottom of the trough and move backwardly and in time with shoe 91, thus holding the column of rings Vat a position opposite the shoe 91, and keeping rings in` square alignment. The backward movement is effected as follows: A rod 101 is positioned in the base of the trough and is bevelled on its top from points on rod below each end of shoe 91 to both ends of rod, the thickest portion of the rod positioned below shoe 91. The rod carries and has attached, the

bevelled end trough shaped member 100 upon,

its upper surface and directly below shoe 91, and member 100 cooperates with shoe 91 to clamp the rings when the rod is moving backwardly. The rod 101 is connected to the arm 86 by means of an arm 102 which projects at right angles yfrom the rod through an elongated slot in the base of the trough. A link 103 is connected by pin 89 with arm 86 and by pin 102 with arm 102l Upon rotation of the gear 97 the eccentric is caused to rotate in a clockwisel direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) thereby intermittently drawing the shoe 91 and the member backwardly and the shoe downwardly7 compressing the column of rings therebetween and causing slight rearward movement of the column. The purpose ot the bevel on the ends ot rod 101 is to prevent the rod ends from cutting or damaging the bottoms of the rings, and also to permit easy sliding of the rings between the shoe 91 and member 100.

00u/ating apparatus.

The counting apparatus or transfer means for removing the rings in groups of predetermined size is comprised of a rotatable head which is mounted for rotation upon a shaft 105 (see Fig. 2) which latter is mounted for longitudinal adjustment in the standards 1. Longitudinal play of the shaft 105 is prevented by the nuts 106 and longitudinal adjustment of the shaft 105 effected by the nuts 106 is maintained by the locknuts 107 pressing against the nuts 106. he rotatable head is composed of a sleeve 108 carried by the shaft 105 and is provided with a flange at one end the outer periphery of which is toothed to form a gear wheel 109. The gear Wheel 109 meshes with the gear 19 previously described andl rotation is eiected thereby, The sleeve 108 is provided with annular grooves at each end into which there fits at one end a projecting annular flange 110 from the collar 111. The collar 111 is keyed to the shaft by pins 112. Ball bearings are interposed between the base ot the annular groove formed by the iiange 110.and the base ot' the groove at the end of the sleeve 108. One of the bearing members rests against the base of the groove in the member 108 and the other bearing member rests againstthe ends of a plurality et spacing rods 113 which pass slidably through the collar 111 and abut at their other end against the standard 1. Positioning means at the other end orn the sleeve 108 is provided as follows: A collar 114 is keyed to the shatt- 105 by a pin 115 l,(see Fig. 4) and carries an annular flange 116 projecting from its end which is disposed within the groove at the end of the sleeve 108. Carried Within the flange are ball bearings similar in all respects to the ball bearings described at the opposite end of the sleeve, one of the bearing members abutting against pins 11'( which pass slidably through the collar 114 and abut against the standard 1. The collar 114 carries projecting laterally therefrom a plate or disc 118. The trough 84 extends through the standard and its thickened end passes through disc 118 and into the space between discs 118 and 119 and terminates in a stop member comprised of two plates 85 which are rigidly secured thereto in spaced relation..

Y collar 111 by means ot set screws 125.

The plates cooperate with the disc 118 to form a space from which a predetermined number ot rings can be removed. The rings, after being forced into the space between the discs7 are designed to be removed by a plurality of arms 120 which intermittently are projected between the plates 85 into the space, carried in rotation around the shaft 105, and withdrawn :trom the space. Each arm is constructed of two rods, one of which is provided with a screw threaded socket at one end which is designed to be engaged by the screw threaded end of the other rod, the connect-ion being locked by means of a nut 121. This provides tor adjustment ot the length of the arms 120 tor any wear or replacements and for proper clearance to disc 118. rllhe arms are mounted for longitudinal sliding movement. in aperatures in the gear 109 and the disc 119. Sliding movement is caused upon rotation oit the sleeve 108 by engagement ot cam Jfollowers 123 which project laterally :trom the arms 120 and engage a cylindrical cam member 124 which is adjustably secured upon the Guiding blocks 126 are pinned at one end to the arm 120 and at their opposite end are slidably carried by rods 127,.A Rods 127 are rigidly aliixed in the gear 109 and disc 119. Springs 128 bear at one end against the gear 109 and at their other end against the blocks 126. As the head rotates, the cam tollowers are normally pressed against the surface ot' the cam by the pressure of the sjirings 128. During rotation of the head, the arms 120 are alternately forced by the springs 128 into the space between the discs 118 and 119 where they are maintained during part ot the rotation of the head and-are later withdrawn by engagement ot the cam follower against the high spot of the cam.

Adjustment of the disc 118 is secured as follows: lt is provided with a flange 130 projecting rigidly therefrom toward the adjacent standard 1. This flange is designed to project between two spaced ears 131 which project outwardly from the standard 1. Limited rotary adjusting movement ot the disc 118 is provided for by two set screws 182 which extend throu. the ears 131 and abut a nst the flange 1530. liooscning of the .nut` 106 and 107 permits the disc and the shaft 105 to be rotated. The rotary adjustment ot the disc 118 is tor the purpose of varying the space between the trough 84 and a guidel member 1m v me which is bolted to the disc 118 by the belt 184 and bounds the upper side oi" the passage through the dise 118.

1t will be understood that as the cam tol# lower of each arm passes the high spot of the cam the arm will be forced by its spring 128 between plates 85 into the space between the plates 85 and disc 118 at a time when it 'will pass inside the column of rings upon the trough.' As the head rot-ates, those rings which are positioned in the space between plates and disc 118 are carried by the arm in a circular path thus leaving a space between the end of the remaining column of rings and the plates 85. In order to prevent collapse of the head of the column of rings, the following arrangement is adopted. A rod 13G is provided with a cover plate 136 and with' a flange 137 at one end which flange has an opening designed `to slidably receive a sha-ft 138 which is rigidly affixed lto the frame 1. A spring 139 abuts at one end against the flange 137 and atits other end against a suitable abutment upon the shaft 138. The rod 136 extends slidably through the standard 1 and terminates in an upturned flange 140. The tension of the spring 139 serves to force the flange 140 rearwardly through a slot in the end of the, trough into engagement with the end of the column of rings. As the column of rings is forced forwardly to contact with the plates 85 the flange 140 will pass between the two plates 85. When the predetermined number of rings is carried from the trough by the arm 120, the rings are lifted above the flange 140 which will thereupon be immediately forced back to press against the end of the broken column and will function to maintain the end rings in their proper position.

The space between the disc 118 and plates 85 can be adjusted by turning the nuts 106 and 107 at one end of the shaft 105 to loosen the same and tightening the nuts 106 and 107 at the other end of the shaft to pull the shaft with its attached disc 118and cam member 124C longitudinally between the standards 1. The set screws 132 are loosened to facilitate the adjustment.

As the predetermined number of rings is Carried in a circular path by the arms through the space between the discs 118 and 119, the rings are brought to a position over a. bucket conveyor 141. The travel of the bucket conveyor is so timed that a bucket 142 will be immediately under a group of the rings at a time that the cam 12d withdraws the supporting arm 120, whereupon the.

group of rings will drop by gravity into the bucket, each group as withdrawn dropping into each succeeding bucket.

Operatz'oa.

inserted from a mandrel or in any other convenient way into the passageway formed by Vthe three cooperating endless chains 27, 28

and 29. As they are inserted into the passageway, they tend to raise the sagging portion of the upper chain 27 and in so doing close the switch constituted by the member 82 and 83, whereby the electric clutch mem bers 12 and 14 are brought int-o operative engagement. The operative parts of the machine are thereby set in motion to feed, sepa- 140 which is resiliently pressed against the same during the passage of the head of the column toward the plates 85. Then the space between the disc and plates has been filled with rings, the operation of the rotary head is such that it brings the cam follower of one of the rods 120 past the high spot of the cam 124e so that the rodis permitted to be sprung between the plates 85 and through the hollow column of rings contained between plates 85 and disc 118. Continued rotation of the head carries the rod with the group of rings contained in the counting space in travel around the shaft 105 to a position below the shaft at which time the high spot of the cam pulls the rod backwardly andV thereby releases the group of rings which fall into a bucket of the bucket conveyor immediately below. The bucket conveyor travels parallel with the belt conveyor 10 and operators standing adjacent thereto can pick the counted rings from each bucket of the bucket conveyor and place the same in boxes upon the conveyor 10 after which they can be removed.

lhle the counted rings are being removed from the head of the column, the forward movement of the column is stopped and slight rearward movement of a portion of the same adjacent the delivery end is caused by the downward and backward movement of the shoe 91 and backward movement of the member 100 which compress the rings slightly and only momentarily. WV hen the counted group of rings is removed from the head of the column, the shoe 91 and the member 100 release the column permitting renewed forward movement of the same.`

As the end of the column of rings passes through the chain feeding mechanism, the upper chain 27 begins to sag and finally 'permits the switch members 82 and 83 to separate thereby breaking the electric circuit and deactivating the clutch members 12 and 14 and stopping the machine.

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'Vhile the invention has been part-icularly described as applied to the separation from a column of a group of fruit rings of rubber composition, each group having a predetermined thickness, it is apparent that it can be applied to the separation or counting of any hollow object or group of objects of varying sizes whether flexible or not.

is also contemplated to incline the machine at an angle to the horizontal where desirable and to modify the arms 120 by the formation ef a flange or otherwise to insure the positive -removal of the exact number of rings desired. Numerous modifications vill suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore not desired to li iit the invention otherwise than is set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, and means continuously Ytrictionally engaging the stack for both feeding the stack and maintaining all the articles therein against sagging or separation.

2. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, means continuously engaging the stack for feeding it to the transfer means, and intermittently operated means for temporarily checking the forward movement of the stack adjacent the transfer means.

3. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, continuously movable means for supporting and advancing the stack to said transfer means, and means for intermittently imparting a slight backward movement to that portion of the st-ack adjacent the transfer means.

t. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, means for feeding the stack to the transfer means, and means controlled by the stack for stopping the machine when the stack reaches a predetermined minimum length.

5. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a. stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, means for Afeeding the stack to the Ytransfer means, and automatic means governed by the stack for stopping and starting the machine.

6. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in a predetermined number, means for frictionally feeding the stack to the transfer means, and means for at intervals frictionally checking the forward movement of the stack.

7. ln a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, and conveyors at the upper and lower sides of the stack for feeding it to the transfer means, said upperconveyor having sufficient slack to cause it to sag below the top side of the rear end of the stack.

8. ln a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in predetermined number, conveyors at the upper and lower sides of the stack for feeding it to the transfer means, and means for intermittently clamping the stack at opposite sides adjacent the transfer means.

9. In a counting machine for annular articles, means for transferring the articles from a stack to a delivery point in a predetermined number, means for feeding the stack to the transfer means, and intermittently operable clamping devices at opposite sides of the stack for imparting a slight backward movement to the stack adjacent the transfer means.

lO. ln a counting machine for annular articles, a stop member, a plate adjacent thereto, said plate having an opening therein, means Vfor feeding the articles through said opening into the space between the plate and stop, means for varying said opening and space, and means for transferring articles in said space to a delivery point.

11. In a counting machine for annular articles, a stop member, a plate spaced therefrom and having a delivery opening to said space, means for feeding the articles through said opening to said space, means for axially adjusting the plate with respect to the stop member, and means for rotatively adjusting said plate with respect to the feeding means, and means for transferring articles in said space to a delivery point.

l2. In a counting machine for annular articles, a shaft, a head rotatable on said shaft, a stop member, a plate rigidly mounted on said shaft in spaced relation to said stop member, means for longitudinally adjusting said shaft, means for rotatively adjusting said plate, article feed means delivering through said plate into the space between the latter and said stop, and plungers carried by said head and intermittently movable into and out of said space to transfer and deliver the articles toa predetermined point.

13. ln a counting machine for annular articles, a rotary head, a plate adjacent thereto, a stop member defining with the plate an article receiving space, reciprocable article receiving and transferring plungers carried by the head and movable into and out of said space, continuously operable feed means extending through said plate to said stop for advancing a stack of articles into said space, and means adjacent said plate for checking the feed during the transfer' of articles from the stack by a plunger.

1a. In a counting machine for annular articles, a plurality of elements defining a space continuously operated means for advancing one end of a stack of articles int-o said space, transfer means for removing from the stack that portion of the articles extending into said space, and means operable during such removal for exerting a slight back pressure on al portion of the stack adjacent said space.

15. In a counting machine for annular articles, a shaft, a plate rigidly mounted thereon, a rotary head loose on said shaft, means for adjusting the shaft, an article feed device extending` through said plate, a guard secured to said plate above said feed device, means for adjusting the plate on said shaft, and means carried by said head for transferring articles from said feed device to a delivery point.

16. In a counting machineV for annular articles, article transfer means, means for presenting a predetermined portion of a stack of the articles to the transfer means, and yielding means for engaging the free end of the stack after the transfer of said portion.

17. In a counting machine for annular articles, article transfer means, means for presenting a predetermined portion of a stack of the articles to the transfer means, and a yieldable finger adapted to engage the free end of the stack before and after the transfer of said portion.

18. In a counting machine for annular articles, article transfer means, and means for presenting a predetermined portion of a stack of the articles to the transfer means, including yielding means for engaging each end of the stack to prevent sagging or separation of the articles.

19. In a counting machine for annular articles, article transfer means, means for presenting a' predetermined portion of a stack of the articles to the transfer means, and means for exerting back pressure on the balance of the stack until such portion has been removed from the stack.

Signed at Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Chio, this 10th day of J an. 1927.

NATHANIEL H. CURTISS. 

